# Amazon Sees Sharp Decline in Burned Area in 2025 Burned areas in the Amazon rainforest hit the lowest level in 41 years. - **Source:** [BBC News](https://brifing.si/source/647b890e-c85e-45b8-9588-ccfecdec4a99) - **Published:** 2026-07-21 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/576322e7-b7f1-44d3-8fa5-5ccc34bbcdaf ## Historical Scale of Fires in the Amazon In 2024, the Amazon rainforest experienced its worst forest fires in over two decades. The Copernicus Climate Change Service attributed this to 'climate extremes and human activity.' The fires posed a serious threat to the region's ecosystem. ## Dramatic Drop in Burned Areas in 2025 In 2025, the area burned in the Amazon decreased by 31% compared to the historical average. This decline was supported by the lowest number of fires recorded in 41 years. However, experts warn that this is not yet a permanent trend. ## Burned Areas Across Brazil In 2025, approximately 12.7 million hectares burned across Brazil. This figure represents a significant decrease from the 30 million hectares burned in 2024. The highest burning rate was recorded in 2007. ## Impact of Climate Conditions The decrease in fires in 2025 was largely influenced by La Niña conditions. This cold wave, which replaced El Niño, reduced the risk of fires. However, the potential return of El Niño raises concerns for the future. ## The Role of the Amazon in the Ecosystem The Amazon rainforest is home to millions of species and, when healthy, absorbs vast amounts of carbon dioxide. However, land clearing for agriculture and logging threatens this ecosystem. ## Lula's Environmental Policies Upon taking office, President Lula pledged to reverse deforestation in the Amazon. However, his decision to approve oil exploration at the mouth of the Amazon River has drawn criticism from environmentalists, contradicting his commitment to environmental protection. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqx78eplqqlo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._